Android 5.0 Lollipop SDK Now Available for Download

It was a long, drawn out process, but Google finally unveiled the official dessert name for Android 5.0, which is now known as Lollipop. And with the official announcement, Google is also releasing the Android 5.0 SDK, which means you and your developer friends can start building fancy new Material Design-infused apps; updated developer images for the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013) have also been released.

On the Android Developers blog, Google has a full breakdown of what's available in the Android 5.0 SDK. Tools include emulator system images for 32-bit and 64-bit (x86), system images for Android TV, and much more. Components can be downloaded through the Android SDK Manager and developed directly through Android Studio.

"You can develop against the latest Android platform using API level 21 and take advantage of the updated support library to implement Material Design as well as the leanback user interface for TV apps," Google explained.

The updated developer images will allow folks to easily test their apps, too, "but only have the minimal apps pre-installed in order to enable developer testing." Proceed with caution if you do decide to download the developer preview versions. Google warns there will not be an over the air update, and you'll need to wipe and refresh your developer device to actually use the latest preview. If you want the official Lollipop release in November, you have to have a factory image on your Nexus device.

Developers have a few weeks to get their apps ready for Lollipop, so hopefully the updates will come thick and fast when it officially rolls out early next month. You'll be able to experience Android 5.0 when the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 launch on Nov. 3, with a wider roll out planned for the Nexus 4, 5, 7 (2012 and 2013) and 10.